Several Cleveland Browns Players Kneel During the National Anthem [PHOTO]

A number of Cleveland Browns players took the knee and turned their backs during the playing of the national anthem prior to the team's preseason game against the New York Giants on Monday night.

The move was inspired by Colin Kaepernick, who has still not been signed this year after the controversy surrounding his decision to kneel during the anthem in protest of state sanctioned police violence against black people.

According to WKYC, Browns running back Duke Johnson, linebacker Jamie Collins, tight end Seth DeValve, safety Najee Murray, cornerback Jamar Taylor, safety Jabrill Peppers, wide receiver Kenny Britt and wide receiver Ricardo Louis we among some of the players who took a knee. There were a few members of the team that opted out of taking the knee but placed their hands on the shoulders of players who did.

This protest came just days after Browns head coach Hue Jackson made remarks about the increasing numbers of national anthem protests throughout the NFL.

“I think everybody has a right to, and I get it, but the National Anthem means a lot to myself personally, the organization and our football team,” Jackson said. “I haven’t really talked to our team about it. I would hope that we don’t have those issues.”

After Jackson came under fire for his comments about NFL protests he issued a statement to clarify his remarks.

"I respect and support their right for peaceful protest; a right afforded to every American," Jackson said. "We’ve always made it clear to our players that they should embrace the platform they have as NFL players to improve our community and use their platform in a positive, thoughtful and responsible manner."